Jamaica ready for historic home test

Jamaica's Reggae Warriors will play Canada in the second match in the 2017 Americas Championships at the Mona Bowl, University of West Indies, today at 4 p.m.

Jamaica assistant coach Roy Calvert is hoping that the hosts, who are ranked 17th in the world, can put in a solid display against Canada - ranked four places higher - after their 48-6 defeat to USA in Florida last month in Game One.

"We were very disappointed with our efforts but we have always been competitive against Canada and, hopefully, playing our first full international on home soil will provide us with that extra drive to ensure that we do our country proud," he said.

Three debutants are named in the Jamaican squad in Steve Miller, Mathew McFarlane and Ethon Dwyer.

NOT RECOVERED

Veteran centre Renaldo Wade will miss the game as he has not recovered from a fractured cheekbone. Winger Keta Bryan fractured an ankle against the USA and will also miss the game.

Aaron Jones-Bishop from UK League One side Doncaster is in line to play, having scored a hat-trick against Wales in his last outing, and the bulk of the squad come from local side Duhaney Park Red Sharks.

Meanwhile, Canada coach Ben Fleming, who is wary of a home backlash, has named debutants Emil Borggren, Matt Gallagher, Jordan Henry and Ryan Murray in a squad he is confident can win.

"We've worked hard at standardising our provincial training programmes and I've really focused hard on building the right culture," he said. "I'd like to think that it transcends into playing well on the field. The players have all bought into the new way forward so it's looking healthy."